Fred DuVal first Arizona Democrat to announce run for governor

PHOENIX — Former Clinton White House staffer Fred DuVal has become the first Democrat to officially jump into next year’s wide open race for Arizona governor.

DuVal made the announcement Wednesday in downtown Phoenix and said Arizona needs a strategy for the 21st century economy.

He said the Brewer administration and Republican Legislature destabilized education with deep cuts and that hurts the state in today’s new economy.

“I hope the ideological wing of her party will not continue to hold Arizona hostage when it comes to doing the right thing for the state. We’ve created a competitive tax structure now we need to create a competitive workforce.

He did praise the governor’s handling of Medicaid expansion.

Secretary of State Ken Bennett and former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman have announced their intentions to run on the Republican side.